Reduced soluble CD14 levels in amniotic fluid and breast milk are associated with the subsequent development of atopy, eczema, or both

Abstract

Background: Exposure to various microbial products in early life reduces the risk of atopy. Such exposure induces downregulation of TH2 allergy-biased responses by means of pattern recognition molecules, such as CD14, an LPS receptor. Objective: We sought to determine whether infant and maternal levels of soluble CD14 (sCD14) are associated with the atopic outcomes of infants. Methods: Levels of sCD14 in plasma, amniotic fluid, and breast milk were measured with a specific ELISA in different cohorts. Expression of toll-like receptors in the fetal gut was examined by using RT-PCR. Results: Soluble CD14 levels increased during fetal development and postnatally, attaining adult levels by around 4 months of age, with an overshoot of adult levels from 6 months of age. There was no difference in plasma sCD14 levels at birth of children with a high compared with those with a low risk of development of atopy. Amniotic fluid sCD14 levels at midgestation (16-17 weeks) were significantly lower when the child was subsequently atopic (P